Emergency Medical Training Services Emergency Medical Technician Basic Program Outlines Outline Topic: Ambulance Operations Revised: 11/2013

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1 AMBULANCE TYPES Emergency Medical Training Services Emergency Medical Technician Basic Program Outlines Outline Topic: Ambulance Operations Revised: 11/2013 Type 1 pick up truck with a box on the back. Cannot walk thru. Type 2 van with a raised roof and extended back end. Can walk thru. Type 3 Van front end with a box on the back. Can walk thru. International Big too big. The new semi ambulances with egos. EQUIPMENT ON ALL CALLS Take O2 bag, Trauma bag, AED/Heart Monitor. Come back for stretcher and back board if needed. Optional OB KIT /PEDI KIT depends on call. Kits should include all first line treatments that can be provided in scope of care. As a rule never leave the ambulance without a tool or equipment in hand. NONMEDICAL EQUIPMENT Use only if trained. Stuffed toy for pedi patients. Heavy coat for extrication. Leather gloves for car glass.

2 Goggles for extrication. Helmet for extrication. DAILY INSPECTION Systemic inspection just like a pilot so not to miss anything. Regular lights brakes, turning, etc Fuel Cap and Indicator. Ambulances are known to be off by as much as a ¼ tank. Fluid leaks report immediately Oil leaks report immediately. Ambulance engine may take up to 18 quarts. Cooling leaks. Patient care depends on environment. AC/Heater. Tire pressure. Adjust seats and mirrors. Remember the partner might drive to the scene and then you drive while leaving. Recheck mirrors. Do not run engine in bays unless muffler is attached to outside hose. Audible siren works. Check radio system.

3 Emergency lights. Beacons. Rotary. Floods. Optagon. Wig-wag. Strobes. DRIVING AN AMBULANCE EMERGENT All road rules apply to an ambulance even when lights and sirens are on. When using light and sirens you are only requesting the right of way. In Texas if your chief allows you can speed with lights and sirens. If in a collision you have to justify the speed and it is hard to do. It is up to your chief in Texas, but the law says if lights are on so are sirens. If in a collision you have to justify yourself and it is hard to do. AS A RULE WHEN USING LIGHTS USE SIREN. May not speed in airport or school zone or construction zones with lights and sirens. You may take on traffic but it is not advised. THIS IS STUPID. BUT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO.

4 YOU MUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS BEFORE GOING THROUGH, EVEN WITH LIGHTS AND SIRENS. You must slow down at an intersection even when light is green. When following another emergency vehicle keep sirens on different tones so drivers can tell that there are two vehicles not just one. Stay back 500 feet. If an intersection is gridlocked in the direction you are traveling and stuck by a red light. Keep lights on but turn off siren until light is green. When entering a highway always get to the fast lane. Cars are to move right. You stay left. IN A PERFECT WORLD. When parking at a scene with oncoming traffic turn off headlights so not to blind oncoming cars. TEXTBOOK park the ambulance past the car collision so you can leave with the patient and not get blocked in. SEATBELT WORN AT ALL TIMES except active patient care. Most important safety equipment on an ambulance. Most accidents happen at intersection. When backing, use a backer so not to hit anything. When entering intersections or having to get someone s attention use difference siren tones.

5 REMEMBER THAT WHEN DRIVING EMERGENT TO THE HOSPITAL YOUR PARTNER AND PATIENT ARE IN THE BACK. Light and sirens do not save as much time as you think. If your going 60 MPH on the highway why use lights and siren? THINK THINK SAFETY. Early shut down turn off siren when pulling into hospital or nursing homes, etc Escorts no need. More dangerous. Give family members directions to the hospital. Do not say "follow us". Tell them "if we use lights and sirens do not follow us". It doesn t always mean your loved one is dead. If they follow too close call police to intercept. They will come. EMERGENCY PARKING Park uphill and upwind if possible. Pull off road if possible. Do not blind others with your running lights. Do not put out flares at a fluid leak. Use binoculars to see placards for hazardous material before entering. Set brakes. DRIVING

6 Cannot park in handicap or fire lane unless on call. Do not drive over fire hoses. Do not pump Anti-lock brakes. If hydroplaning hold wheel straight and let up on gas no brakes. If skidding turn into skid. If fogged in get well off road and turn off all lights. When going over train tracks do not accelerate. The wheels catch on the tracks and move cause bumps. When turning you should have slowed down enough to not need to push on the brake peddle during the turn and accelerate to get out of the turn. Some cities (not Dallas because of highway system) want emergency vehicles to stay off the highway because if the highway is backed up and you get a call you cannot move. Remember BRAKES SUCK ON AMBULANCES. A CALL Pre-Run check all to make sure you re ready for a call. Post-Run get restocked and back into service for next call